Trailer Brakes Lock Up When 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee is In Reverse

Updated 04/26/2016 | Published 04/25/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Pollak Replacement 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector Socket - Vehicle End

(745)

$15.62

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(66)

$14.40

Question:

When in reverse using my 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee pulling a trailer the breaks on trailer lock up.. Dealership has checked the trailer and this doesnt Happen when they hook it up to one of their trucks..

asked by: Nicole

Expert Reply:

My first question is does the trailer have electric brakes or hydraulic surge brakes? If it has surge brakes and an electric reverse lockout, then that would mean that the center pin on your 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee is not connected to a reverse light circuit.

If it has electric brakes, then the brake output circuit on the trailer is connected to the center pin. To fix this problem you just have to have the right wires going to the right pins on both the vehicle side and trailer side connectors.

Take a look at the picture I have included that shows the functions and locations for vehicle and trailer side 7-Way connectors (ignore wire color). You can use a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 to test the vehicle side connector to determine the functions. On the trailer side you can trace the wires from the connector back to see where they lead.

expert reply by: Michael H